Minqi Xu
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'IMMUREMENT'
exhibition
7 Nov-10 Nov, 2019
Crypt Gallery, London
What's Next?
Key Ability:
Marketing, Communication, Design, Promotion, Installation, Team working, Problem sloving
This exhibition was a challenge for all MFA students, as it not only requires us to finish artworks that respond to this special space but also organize and promote the exhibition. According to the history of Crypt, we came up with the theme 'Immurement'. The artwork that I made 'Keep them till you die' created a conversation with the old brick wall in Crypt Gallery.
As a member of the marketing team, I was responsible for communicating with other groups, helping with designs and organizing materials, also taking charge of our Instagram account and photography on the opening night. My experience working in the marketing team taught me about the basic process of promotion and also about teamwork. During the preparation of this exhibition, we got the knowledge of curating an exhibition. Especially I learned a lot about installing artwork from the installation team when they helped me hide the electricity cables from the ceiling.
https://mfafineart.wixsite.com/mfafineart
In the shortlist of 2019
robe design for Grayson Perry
11 Mar, 2019
Central Saint Martins college
of art and design
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Exhibitions and Abilities
Key Ability:
Research, Project management, Fashion Design, Presentation
I attended the annual competition of UAL,The Making of Grayson's Robes - #UALGrads 2019. Due to my fashion and illustration background, I created two illustrations for Grayson and designed them as the print on his robe. I was honored to be selected in the shortlist . It was the first time I met his alter-ego 'Claire', and she impressed me a lot.
This experience helped me understand Grayson Perry more about his art practice and gave me the direction for design. When I did my research, I read his book 'Portrait of the artist as a young girl', which deepened my comprehension of sexual identity and offered me a new understanding of gender impression. So in my design, I created these figures who are half animal half human, or half female half male. I believe human beings have no gender and they were composed of males and females when they were created, as Plato recorded in 'Symposium'. For the meeting with Grayson Perry, we had to do a presentation and explain our idea to him. It practiced my presentation and communication skills and improved my confidence and courage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSFRGtkyNp4
Key Ability:
Curation, Organization, Team working, Communication, Problem solving, Design
Me and two students from UAL organized a student film festival in London.
The five-day festival, taking place from July 6-10 at multiple locations throughout London, is dedicated to embracing creative thinking, social activism, and diversity of thought and solution. It also aims to open discourse in the use of technology as a medium to reflect the current events of the world. The festival is working to help create a larger community of emerging artists.
This experience was a big challenge for our collaborative ability and curation skills. For the other two curators, they mainly took charge of the application and organization, communication, and negotiation. My part was to organize, design, and promote. This was the first time we worked together and also the first time to curate a film festival, so we met some problems during the process. We spent some time on the application form to make it stand out and get the funding. Then we met the difficulty of finding the appropriate space for screening. We sent out around 50 emails to all these potential spaces where we found online. But only a few of them fit our budget and time. So we finally decided to screen in the TT THEATER and the Horse and Stables, and Stour Space, also the theater in Chelsea. Another big challenge was facing many unpredictable problems. For example, in the Stour Space, there was no adapter for our laptop and the projector, so I ran to several shops and department stores, which are far from the screening spot to buy it. We kept the audience waiting for more than one hour. Unfortunately, on that day the train was canceled by an accident. What I learned from this whole process was to keep calm and solve problems.
OPEN MOUTH
Film Festival
(a project supported by
UAL postgraduate
community project fund)
9 July-9 July, 2019
TT Theatre, Stour Space, and Horse and Stables.
'Life Stream' exhibition
Library in Wimbledon
College of Arts
8 April-18 April, 2019
Key ability:
Flexibility of presentation, Creative problem solving
After the ' Postopia' exhibition in Ugly Duck, I got a chance to present my video installation ' Life Stream' in the library of Wimbledon College of Art. It is an unconventional exhibition space, mixing the practical area and exhibition area. It was interesting to see how this work responds to different spaces.
It was an unusual experience for me to decide how to present this work because my work is an interactive video installation and the library usually presents works in the glass exhibition case. However, I found it would be a good idea to use the computer in the library to show my video and with no sign. I intended to make my work become a part of the environment and encouraged people to sit down. It turned out to perfectly fit my idea of blurring the boundary of reality and fiction.
'Wavelength'screening
16 Aug-17 Aug, 2019
Times arts museum,Beijing,China
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Key Ability:
Thoroughly preparation, Participation in remote exhibition, Communication
My film 'A place where there is only winter' was selected to screen in the Times arts museum, Beijing. This film screening event was organized by an independent Chinese film group called ' Unicorn'. This film screening event chose six films which tell stories from women's perspective. I'm grateful to have this chance to show my film in a public space and get feedback from the audience, also learn from my peers. I didn't have much experience in submitting my works to film festivals or events, however, I should always keep myself well-prepared for it. For example to have two language versions of the description and subtitles, and make a poster for my film, and also keep some nice still frames.
This film festival was remote participation for me, meanwhile, I was busy working with the 'OPEN MOUTH FILM FESTIVAL' in London. But for my work as videos, it's easy to present. So the media I chose for my practice provided me the flexibility to submit film festivals all over the world.
'Postopia' exhibition
22th-24th Feb, 2019
Ugly Duck, London
Postopia
2019.02.22-25
Ugly Duck
49 Tanner St, London, SW SE1 3PL
22 Feb-24 Feb, 2019
Ugly Duck, London
‘Postopia' exhibition
Key Ability:
Team working, Communication, Installation, Presentation
'Postopia' was the first exhibition that I attended in London, which was curated by the previous MFA students. This experience helped me to understand more about presenting artwork to the public. I stayed there for a day during the exhibition helping out to introduce my works and other artists' works to the audience and guide them. It practiced my presentation and communication abilities.
This exhibition is cooperation for MFA students, I witnessed the importance of teamwork and mutual support. Before I arrived at the exhibition space, other members had settled up all the artworks and equipment. My work was arranged in the attic where is small and dark but fits the mood of my work.
Working Experience as an illustrator
Work as an illustrator in TONG DIGITAL, London
https://www.tongdigital.com/
Key Ability:
Project management, Illustration skills, Time management
TONG DIGITAL is the UK's first dedicated Chinese social commerce agency, delivering turnkey market entry solutions. I've been working on this job since March 2020 as an illustrator and graphic designer. It practiced my professional skills in working for commercial projects. I always work with a limited deadline, so I had to estimate the time and make a plan before I start. It cultivated my abilities in time management and project management.
Although there is no direct connection between illustration and fine art, I find the boundary is not very clear when there are some illustrators still drawing for their concepts instead of working for clients. The clients come to them for their works and make cooperations with them. For example, the British illustrator Luke Edward Hall, his drawings are mainly about portraits and Greek mythology. He also draws for magazines and fashion brands. Also the Spanish illustrator and artist Ignais Monreal, he makes realistic painting for showing modern life. He also cooperates with commercial brands. They are my role models, as an illustrator and an artist. In my case, it's a bit different from them. I chose video and installation as the medium for my fine art practice. I still seek the possibility to combine drawing into my practice and maintain the same style and theme in both two areas. This will be the main task for me after I graduate.
My thoughts about working as an illustrator and an artist
Luke Edward Hall
